Chapter 97

Chapter 3, Final Episode.

From that point on, everything went according to plan.

The military police gathered with worried expressions at the sight of the smoke, and Oscar directed them. Gilbert gave the signal to drop the nets from the top of the building, while Dante and Huey handled the ground. Mordred and Grace split the medical treatment duties, and Jade guided the evacuation. Aine continuously increased the number of nets beside Oscar.

Thirty minutes later, the last person was captured, and the riot was suppressed. There were multiple injuries, but no one died. It was a complete victory for our side.

All that was left was to remove the 'hindrance' from each of the captured individuals one by one.

The square, now quiet, saw the people who had evacuated returning to check the situation.

"Who would have thought Aine's ability was 'Replication'?"

Jade said this as she sat down beside Oscar. Mud was on her cheek, as if she had fallen somewhere. After giving a troubled smile to Jade, who looked like she was about to lie down on the ground, Oscar turned his gaze to Aine, who was breathing heavily.

"By the way, didn't you say your ability was 'Sharing'?"

"Our ability is indeed 'Sharing.' But that means we can use it together, and my own ability is 'Replication.'"

"So, Zweig has a different ability, then?"

Aine nodded briefly in response to Jade's question.

Hearing the name Zweig, Oscar's mind conjured up Cecilia's face.

Where was she now, and what was she doing after disappearing with Zweig last night? According to Aine, Zweig, who had apparently kidnapped her, had been under considerable pressure for several days. Perhaps Zweig thought that Aine would take Cecilia away. If so, the reason for Zweig's kidnapping of Cecilia would be clear.

(No... that can't be...)

Shaking his head at the worst-case scenario that flashed through his mind, Oscar couldn't help but picture her in a gruesome state.

It was Dante's voice that brought him back to reality.

"Well, we should start looking for Zweig and Cecilia soon!"

He said this brightly, patting Oscar's shoulder. Then, he pointed to his hand and said, "Make sure to get it treated by the teacher later."

Not understanding what he meant, Oscar opened his palm and saw that it was bleeding. It seemed he had gripped it so tightly that his nails had dug into his skin.

(How embarrassing...)

Sighing, Oscar ran his fingers through his hair.

Despite being taught many times to remain calm in any situation, he couldn't keep his cool when it came to her.

"Hey, can I let Leen down now?"

When asked by Huey, who had followed Dante, Oscar nodded.

Actually, he could have let her down earlier, but doing so would have分散 the enemy's targets, so he had left Leen on stage as a decoy.

(At any rate, now we can go look for Cecilia.)

Just as he felt relieved—

"Down with the Caritade religion—!!"

A man ran towards the stage, holding a knife and a bottle, which was on fire.

It was a Molotov cocktail.

Before anyone could realize it, the man threw it at the stage where Leen was.

"What!"

"Kyaa!"

The stairs were engulfed in flames, and Leen screamed.

Since the stage was made of wood, the fire quickly spread.

"Leen!"

"Stop! Don't go now!"

"Let me go!"

In the corner of his eye, Oscar saw Dante and Huey arguing. Jade was panicking, saying, "W-What do we do! Leen! Leen!"

Oscar looked around, but there was nothing nearby to extinguish the fire.

(What can I do—!)

The flames slowly approached Leen's feet.

At that moment, Aine, who was on the ground, was muttering something while staring at the stage.

"...if only..."

"Aine?"

"If Zweig were here..."

He slammed his clenched fists into the ground.

"What the hell are you doing, you idiot!"

Just as Aine screamed, the stage where Leen was standing began to glow.

It was like a scene from a myth.

A famous final scene that even a child in this country would know.

A goddess, left behind in the burning flames of hell, facing the devil's counterattack.

She is saved by a single man, who will eventually become the king of this country.

Flowing honey-blonde hair. Shining sapphire eyes.

The man, holding Leen in his arms, dressed in a white habit, emerged from the flames.

He landed on the ground with a light step, stood her up, and wiped the soot from her cheek with his thumb. Then, he smiled, a relieved and almost collapsing smile.

"I'm glad I made it in time."

At that moment, cheers and applause erupted in the square.

The next episode is the epilogue.

Just a little more to go for Chapter 3!

I'll do my best!

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